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“I remember your father’s dreams, how real they were to him. I guess I was predisposed to this.”
“What would Dad have done if, like Collin, he’d found out about his family history?”
“He’d have come here.” Winter said it without hesitation. “He’d have done exactly what you’re set on doing. He also had a determined face. So I’m going to do what I always did for him, always tried to do for you. I’m going to stand by your determination.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“Sonya, you’re the most important thing in my life. Whatever’s here, you’re happy. I can see how happy you are. And energized. My energy girl lost some of that zip in Boston.”
“It wasn’t Boston.”
“I know, and I know you’ve got it back. Plus, to my genuine amazement, you’ve now cooked two very impressive meals, so I know you won’t rely on pizza and Chinese. Tomorrow, I’m going to show you how to make another meal.”
Before Sonya could protest, Winter held up a hand. And put Sonya’s determined face to shame. “You’ve got beef and seafood. I’ll show you how to make—as I once failed—a simple chicken dish.
“But now, let’s deal with these dishes. We can pour one more glass of wine and take it with us while you show me more of the house.”
“Yoda needs to go out. How about we take him for a walk, then come back for the dishes and the tour.”
“Your house, your rules.”
They enjoyed the breezy walk with the landscape lights glowing, the stars shimmering. When they rounded back, the kitchen was whistle clean.
“Well, my God!”
“I wanted you to see. If I don’t get to the cleanup right off, someone else does. Now, let me show you the solarium from inside.”
The weekend flew by, and with nothing more than what Sonya had come to feel was normal for the manor. Welcoming fires in the hearths, open cabinet doors.
Though the hands on the clock read three again, she heard nothing in the night, and no disturbances on the third floor.
She learned—maybe—how to make a chicken and potato dish in a single skillet, and pleased Winter.
And since the whole deal, start to finish, took under an hour, she thought she could handle it in a pinch.
At the door on Sunday afternoon, her bag at her feet, Winter embraced her daughter.
“Cleo will be here in a few days. Next time I visit, I bet I have her mom with me.”
“I hope so.”
“Your aunt misses you. Is it all right if I bring her up sometime?”
“I love Summer, you know that. Of course it is.”
“Good, that’s good. Tracie gets no points from me, but she did you a favor, Sonya. Because you’re happy.”
Taking Sonya’s shoulders, Winter rubbed gently. “As happy as I’ve seen you in way too long. And you were losing that zip before you booted Brandon to the curb.”
Shakira’s infidelity song, “Don’t Bother,” sang from the phone in Sonya’s pocket.
“Oh, I agree.” Winter laughed with it. “My girl will be just fine.”
“I think you and Clover would’ve gotten along.”
“Enough that however strange it is, I like knowing she’s watching out for you. You take care of yourself. You’re my favorite daughter.”
“You drive safe, and text me when you get home.” They hugged hard, swayed with it. “You’re my favorite mother.”
